Day 12 - Reading to Tyle Mill Well, it was a quiet night outside the 'Bel and the Dragon' and a sunny morning which saw us untie just after 07:30 and plod gently round the loop by the prison - saw only one other moored boat. Recent dry spell meant that the river up to Fobney Lock was not too big a strain on this slightly under-engined boat and we treated said lock with due care and attention, avoiding gate-paddle induced incidents. Passing Burghfield we saw a boater preparing to cast off so invited her to join us in the next few locks. nb Adrastea, en route from Rugby to Devizes, has a rather nice Kelvin J2 so the noise in the locks was enhanced. Approaching Tyle Mill sanistation at 12:55, where both boats intended to take water, we espied a queue. The bridge had failed and 2 boats had been there 2 hrs awaiting BW. We breasted up with them just as white van man turned up and re-set the trip on the bridge control box - time taken 30secs. The same failure delayed us 4 yrs ago and the BW man said it was a recurring problem that no one could diagnose. Unable to obtain water or use any other services as water and power had been turned off to the facilities. Great, as our tank is pretty low. We were able to pass the bridge and lock by 13:55 and we've moored about 400yds further on in the pleasant spot we found on day 8. Whiled away the afternoon reading, dozing and trying not to use water. Post-prandial perambulation through the countryside south of the canal and then time to sit in a field and write this stuff. Now to plan tomorrow's passage through Padworth Swing Bridge which is being operated by BW on a time restricted basis ufn.
7mi 7fl; 8 locks; 6.35 engine hours
